Walnut Creek, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Walnut Creek is a mid-size city in California with a population of 69,790. Residents earn $135,665 per year, which is 81% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
69,790 Population 3,532/sq mi density
$135,665 Median Income $83,164 per capita
$1,031,100 Home Value $1,024,673 Zillow
$2,613 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
110 Violent Crime/100K 3,610 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$135,665 median income, 3.1% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.4 / 5.0
$1,031,100 home value, $2,613/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
110 violent crimes/100K (71% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
69.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $135,665
81% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,031,100
266% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 110/100K
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 69.4%
106% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,613
125% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.7%
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.2%
66% lower than US avg

How Walnut Creek Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population69,790
Median Age46.1 yrs
Density3,532/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

A+
Median Income$135,665
Per Capita$83,164
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty4.2%
County GDP$217,018M
Commute33 min

Housing

C
Home Value$1,031,100
Rent$2,613
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,024,673

Crime

F
Violent110/100K
Property3,610/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault68/100K
Burglary642/100K

Health

Obesity24.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease3.8%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.7 in/yr
Elevation210 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+69.4%
High School+97.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute33 min
EV Stations80
Libraries34

Is Walnut Creek a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Walnut Creek receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Walnut Creek offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Walnut Creek is $135,665, which is significantly higher than the national average — 81% above $75,149. This places Walnut Creek among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Walnut Creek is $1,031,100, making it a premium housing market at 266% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,613 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Walnut Creek is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 110 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,610 per 100,000, 84% above the national average.

Education

Walnut Creek is a highly educated community — 69.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Walnut Creek enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Walnut Creek has a population of 69,790 with a density of 3,532 people per square mile. The median age is 46.1 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (65%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 2.4% Black.

Population

69,790
Total Population
3,532
People / sq mi
46.1yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
19.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Walnut Creek vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.8%
6% below US avg
Spanish26.2%
96% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Walnut Creek vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Walnut Creek is $135,665, which is 81% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Walnut Creek vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$135,665
81% above US avg
Per Capita Income$83,164
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
IRS Avg AGI$232,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.2%
66% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,186
County GDP$217,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,143
Healthcare2,617
Retail1,916
Manufacturing487

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.5 min
Work from Home28.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Walnut Creek is $1,031,100, 266% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,613 (125% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,024,673.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,031,100
266% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,024,673
Median List Price$888,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$888,000
$/Sq Ft$596
Homes Sold70
Sale-to-List Ratio100.3%
Price Drops22.5%
Inventory142

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,613
125% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,760

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Rate1.71%
In Walnut Creek, 24.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.9% report depression. 16.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Walnut Creek vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.7%
23% below US avg
Diabetes7.3%
Heart Disease3.8%
High Blood Pressure24.7%
Asthma9.4%
COPD3.3%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity16.4%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress15.0%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.6%
Checkup Rate71.0%
Premature Death4,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access99.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Walnut Creek has a violent crime rate of 110 per 100,000 residents, 71% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,610 per 100,000 (84% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Walnut Creek vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent109.5/100K
71% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape5.9/100K
Robbery35.5/100K
Assault68.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,610.4/100K
84% above US avg
Burglary642.4/100K
Theft2,646.7/100K
Vehicle Theft321.2/100K
Arson1.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Walnut Creek has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.7 inches
53% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation210 ft (64 m)
Area19.8 sq mi (51.2 km²)
Population Density3,532/sq mi
Coordinates37.9027°N, 122.0405°W
County FIPS06081
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 69.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (106% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.2%
D 73.5%

Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+69.4%
106% above US avg
High School+97.2%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,532/sq mi
Total Area19.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations80
Alt Fuel Stations81
Public Libraries34
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Restaurants2,143
Retail Stores1,916

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.5 min
Work from Home28.7%

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